From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
The dismantling and engine lubrication system of an Essex Terraplane '8' car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 21\6\ Scan084 | |
| Date | 27th October 1933 | |
| X3121 To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from He/Lid{A. J. Lidsey}, C. C. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} C. C. Dy.{F R Danby} HE/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey}3/RT.27.10.33. C. C. Hsy. X3121 ESSEX TERRAPLANE '8'. We have dismantled various parts of the Terraplane car and give herewith particulars of the car including those asked for in E.1/HP.9.10.33. ENGINE UNIT. (a) Lubrication. The engine lubrication is entirely by splash, there is a small oil pump which is used for circulating purposes only. The pump consists of a double ended plunger which works in a cylinder and has reciprocating and a restricted rotary motion. Three channels are machined in the piston and line up with three ports in the cylinder in a manner determined by the motion of the piston. Oil is drawn up from the sump through the suction port and delivered to the two release ports in turn, the release ports are connected by two pipe lines, one going to the timing gear case and the other to the top half of the crankcase at the rear end. The timing case is so arranged that the crank pinion is always half immersed in oil, the oil supplied in excess of this requirement drains back into the sump. There are no valves of any sort in the oil pump and the delivery pressure is dependent on the compression ratio of the pump. The maximum oil pressure is said to be 3 lbs/sq.in. A false bottom is fitted in the bottom half and is so shaped that a well of oil is formed under each big end. The second pipe from the oil pump keeps this replenished with oil. The big ends are fitted with dippers which collect oil from the wells and deliver it to the big end bearings. The surplus oil from this false bottom overflows through a long narrow port at one side into the bottom half proper, which is fitted with an elaborate system of baffle plates which cause the oil to circulate round the outer walls of the bottom half before it passes through a filter and is sucked up by the pump again. Cavities are arranged above the main bearings which collect oil and deliver it through a hole, by gravity, to the bearings. | ||